"Thank you, traveler from the Land of Fire."
Seeing Centipede's death, the Queen of Rōran finally showed a smile of relief on her face.
Ever since learning of An Lushan's conspiracy, the Queen of Rōran had been constantly worried for her people and little Sara. Now she was finally free.
"It's nothing—this was a mission I needed to complete. However, now that news of the Dragon Vein has been leaked, as long as it exists, those who covet it will never cease. What will you do, Queen of Rōran?"
Kai finally revealed his fangs. The Dragon Vein's power—Kai was determined to have it!
Hearing Kai's words, the Queen of Rōran's expression darkened. Looking at the calm-faced Kai, she asked: "Traveler from the Land of Fire, do you have any solution?"
The corner of Kai's mouth curved into a slight smile as he said: "I can permanently seal the Dragon Vein's power!" Of course, by sealing it within himself.
"But..." A flash of hesitation appeared in the Queen of Rōran's eyes.
The Kingdom of Rōran had been able to survive in this endless desert without any ninja, relying entirely on the Dragon Vein's power. If they lost the Dragon Vein's power, the Queen of Rōran didn't know what would become of her people.
"If a people's survival relies solely on an external object, then that people will inevitably walk toward extinction. A people's survival depends on their unity and cohesion."
Kai's calm voice struck the Queen of Rōran's heart like a heavy hammer.
Gradually, brilliant light began to shine in the Queen of Rōran's eyes. Looking at Kai, she said solemnly: "Traveler from the Land of Fire, please—permanently seal the Dragon Vein's power."
"Mm, very well." Kai nodded.
Then the Queen of Rōran led Kai toward where the Dragon Vein was housed.
The Dragon Vein, like the eye of a giant dragon, emanated an ancient and eternal aura. Its magnificent presence made even Kai take notice.
Placing both hands on either side of the Dragon Vein, Kai prepared to absorb its power.
Suddenly, Kai's heart stirred: At this point in time, I should have just been born. I wonder what I looked like as a child. Just taking a look shouldn't disturb the timeline, right?
Once this thought emerged, Kai could no longer suppress it. Without hesitation, he directly activated Kagura Mind's Eye!
Originally smiling, intending to tease his childhood self, Kai suddenly widened his eyes. His pupils contracted to pinpoint size, and his breathing became rapid!
Nothing! Nothing!! Nothing!!!
Kai's Kagura Mind's Eye swept over Konoha, the Land of Fire, and even the entire shinobi world again and again! He found absolutely no trace of his own presence!
In other words... in this world, he didn't exist!
Kai swallowed hard and couldn't help but exclaim: "This... how is this possible!" Whether facing Uchiha Madara or the Sage of Six Paths, Kai had never lost his composure like this!
"Traveler from the Land of Fire, what's wrong?" The Queen of Rōran saw that after Kai placed his arms on the Dragon Vein, he froze motionless, and couldn't help asking in confusion.
"It's... nothing." Kai withdrew his hands from the Dragon Vein and smiled at the Queen of Rōran.
After thinking, Kai said: "Before permanently sealing the Dragon Vein, I still have something I need to confirm. I'll return to seal the Dragon Vein in a few days."
Speaking thus, Kai first inscribed several Yin-Yang Release sealing arrays around the Dragon Vein. With Kai's cultivation level, even super-Kage level powerhouses would find it difficult to shake the sealing arrays he created at full power.
Then Kai took Hinata by the hand and disappeared directly.
Kai had a vague hypothesis in his heart, but he needed to confirm his guess once more. If it truly matched his hypothesis, then...
He might really become an existence that surpassed everyone in the entire shinobi world!
Year 35 of Konoha
At this time, the Second Shinobi World War had just ended.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's reputation as the "Professor" echoed throughout the shinobi world; the "Legendary Sannin" were also becoming legend; "Konoha's White Fang" made enemies tremble in fear.
Konoha Village stood proudly above the entire shinobi world—none dared challenge its supremacy!
Kai walked openly through Konoha's streets with Hinata, without any concealment. To avoid trouble, Kai cast a layer of genjutsu over Hinata's eyes, so no one could discover her Byakugan.
Along the way, Hinata looked around curiously, her eyes full of wonder, and couldn't help asking Kai: "Big brother, is this Konoha? How come it seems different from what I remember?"
Kai rubbed Hinata's little head and smiled: "Of course it's different—this is Konoha from over twenty years ago."
"Oh, I understand, big brother." Hinata nodded as if she understood, completely unaware of how terrifying the information behind Kai's casual statement was.
"Mm, we're here." Kai looked at the familiar gate and stopped.
"Excuse me, is Shishio Mitarashi-senpai here?" Kai called out loudly.
This was the Mitarashi household. According to Kai's memory, at this time he should be just over a year old, while Anko had just been born. As ANBU captain, Shishio Mitarashi was busy at home all day.
After a while, a familiar figure appeared before Kai, still holding a baby. Shishio Mitarashi looked at Kai with confusion and asked: "You're looking for me? What's the matter?"
As ANBU captain, Shishio Mitarashi might not be very familiar with every ninja in the village, but he should at least have some impression of them.
Yet he had absolutely no impression of the person before him. Could he just be an ordinary villager? But then he shouldn't be calling him "senpai."
"Shigen Mitarashi-senpai once showed me kindness. I heard that senpai has a child, so I wanted to come pay my respects." Having said this, Kai fixed his gaze tightly on Shishio Mitarashi.
Shigen Mitarashi was Shishio Mitarashi's elder brother and the former clan head of the Mitarashi clan—Kai's father whom he'd never met.
In the final battle of the Second Shinobi World War against Kumogakure, he had died on the battlefield.
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
The story isn't over...
🤔 Want to know what happens next to the characters?
🤫 Eager to explore the untold secrets of this world?
✍️ Ready to read more of my wildest stories?
✨patreon.com/DarkGolds